OH Juli

Where are Stacy and Clinton when you need them! That is not an accurate statement! just kidding. If you feel good wear what you want. I've bought a few dresses for spring. I can't do tights/hose so I'm waiting for the bare leg time of year. I promise to shave and lotion though.

There are so many from collar bones to being more bendy (flexible) because my big giant belly was in the way, and now it is not. My neck is thinner. I had a fat neck. Who knew? Keep track of these things. They make you happy when the scale stops moving. ;0)

Hi Trell, Welcome. Don't let the insanity scare you off, we really are a nice bunch of people. We REALLY like cycling. Some of the humor gets naughty or gross at times, but please hang out and jump in. Where I work out doesn't have spinning. I know next fall when the biking season ends in Ohio I'll join a gym that does have spinning. Everyone says it can really transform your body. Congrats on the band. Turler, also known as C, is on here and was just banded on the 10th. Welcome!

I've just helped make 100 fortune cookies. Hand made fortune cookies are a pain in the ass. Of course we had to make a few naughty ones too. heee heee

orange is my fav. I've had punch too, not so good.

Mine didn't even come out my womb, let alone be able to nurse her. Well since she's not got my DNA I obviously can't love her.

orange rocked my world.

I'm feeling particularly hate-full right now. I'd be inclined to say, "I see your mouth moving, you must be saying something but all I hear in my head is, 'shut the eff up'." Turn and walk away. Don't let people make you feel bad. I know that's easier said than done, but he's a dick and looking for a reaction from you. Don't give him the satisfaction of getting one.

I like to think of them a delicious nuggets of caffiene.

It works made into spread, but no, you can't chew it well enough, or maybe it's bites that are habitually to big. It gets me nearly every time.

It is hard because it's designed to be. If it were a fad diet so many people who are not good candidates would get it. Jumping through hoops is par for the course for many of us. But it is worth it. Find a way. You will, it's worth it. Make yourself a priority in you life and boom you'll be banded! Good luck.

I drink cosmos. They have just a splash of cran juice, enough to make em pink. Just be aware of the calories you are consuming, is the overall message. You'll be fine. Smoking like you said, is rough. But if weight loss is part of a healthier better you, I expect you'll drop the habit at some point. There comes a point in time where you're like, this just doesn't make sense anymore. Good luck.

You are one of us.

Thanks everyone. I'm now offically 40. ZZ, Congratulations!!!! Woo mother effin' HOO! JC, Duuuuuuuuuuuuuddddddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I've missed you. I particularly heart your sign offs. JthesweetestdudeeverC TX, Falling stinks. Getting up and riding with out crying stinks even worse. C, I see you made it through another day and haven't eaten the key board. It's hard to make it mushy. Your hell days will be over soon. BG, I'd say gloves. Well since I have one of yours, you're going to need them sooner than anything else. Warm clothing, a case of Cock Blocks (Cliff Blocks), the pump, a cute fanny pack, warm gear, an ass flasher, shoe coverers, one or two jerseys. I'll take 'em next year when they are too big. Sporty sunglasses, a wind breaker, warm clothing, bike lock, bones bike carrier, camping gear for your summer trip, lip gloss, that cute black top at Macy's you really loved.... Oh, BTW, we shopped at Macy's , I'll say it twice, we shopped at Macy's! We were dorks in the fitting room, probably making other shoppers think we were on crack, but as you all well know, department stores are not freindly to plus size people. B, my main man, if I had your phone number I'd call. I miss you. D, you too. XO Chica.

Becca, Again I'm going to go with the stats are correct. What you see on LBT are people who are actively working toward goal. OUR stats are much better than average because we invest our time/energy into this tool. Unfortunately (for them) those who pad the lower numbers wouldn't be around here to see your suggestion. But here's to those who care getting to goal. Cheers!!!

If you can only do 5 minutes this week, do 5 minutes. Plan on doing 6 or 7 next week. THEN DO IT. Plan on increasing your time until you reach 30 minutes. Only then increase your speed. I mean this on a bike, a treadmill, an ellypitical machine, walking outside. You'll want to throw in some weight training after a month or so. Again go at is slowly. but be consistent. I started walking 10 minutes a day in October 06. I ran a 5k a few months ago and can ride a bike for over 50 miles in a morning. Trust me girl, it can be done. Keep setting new goals and keep achieving them!

No beer. No fruity drinks. Shots will knock you on your ass like you won't believe. Find a mixed drink you like and drink it slowly. If you don't lose quickly enough think about not drinking to see it's impact. If not drinking isn't an option you have bigger problems than being overweight. Just saying...

I think the stats are accurate. You are the deciding factor as to where you want to fall on the bell curve. Make up your mind and don't let anything, not one thing, get in your way of accomplishing your goal. Going in thinking -44 is the best you can do, it will be the best you can do. Good luck.

Exercise comes to mind. But you'll also be busy doing things with people. Cooking, etc. There's plenty to do in this world. Start making a list of things you don't have time for now and do them later.

A simple answer is, "What you are doing isn't working. You need to do something different." Losing weight won't fix all the problems in your life, but it will make taking the challenges on much much easier. Because you'll not be spinning your wheels fighting the same old fight of weight loss and you'll have the energy to deal those other issues. As for lapband verse bypass, that's a whole different thread... It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Period.

I get acid with new fills, when I'm probably tighter than I should be. The solution for me is to not eat after 6pm. I'm an evening eater so it's hard, but after three nights of choosing to eat and not sleeping, sleeping won. If it pursists see your doc. HTH.

I'm going to guess it could have been a combination of things. If were already going to get a migraine and it just made things worse, or you may not have chewed well enough. You might want to "prime" your band with a bite then wait 5 minutes to eat the rest. It is a fickle thing. Your experience you just had stinks. yuck

Are you too thin? No? Then don't worry about what other people say.

I'm single too, and only have my picky eater daughter with me 50% of the time. I make meatballs and freeze them. Take out two at a time. Same with meat loaf. I make Soup and take in what I know I will not eat to work and share. I can tolerate something for about 4 meals then I'm just sick of it. Fish that are individually quickly frozen and packaged you can grab only one at a time to thaw and cook... And I've gotten used to throwing out food. It's just what happens.

I'm living the life I always wanted to live. It's by my design and not someone else's. I'm stronger, happier, and more fun to be around. I'm daring and joyous. I've made new friends who do interesting things like bicycling, running, and golfing. I don't sit on the side lines. There is clarity in my decision making because I don't wring my hands all the time saying, oh dear will I fit, will I eat, will I be included. I'm full of gratitude for my health and my abilities. And physically: My daughter wraps her arms all the way around me. I have a lap she can sit on. I can go on and on.